I have a new Edelbrock intake manifold, and was considering having it polished. Is it tough keeping it looking good, or will just an occasional cleaning keep the aluminum looking good? I thought maybe because of the heat from the engine, this would accelerate oxidation, and speed up the dulling process on the aluminum. TIA, Don http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

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Don
1970 SS El Camino
Gold #179



[This message has been edited by BBC DON (edited 06-28-99).]

Hey Don,

I had mine clear powder coated. I't a snap to keep clean and looks neat. You can send it out but I bought Eastwoods set up and did it myself. mgg (Gold# 209)

Another option is having it anodized. My local anodizing shop said they can "hard anodize" it and it will look good for years.

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Pat Kelley
66 & 67 El Caminos

Don,

I have polished intake and heads for my L88. After 1 season ( prior owner ) , they've sort of oxidized here and there and I haven't even tried to clean them up. I know from the mani on my 396 now, that clear paint isn't a good answer because it yellows when gas is spilled on it. I'm going to shoot my Edel mani orange.

So as far as polishing goes, it looks good for a while. I saw my buds heads and intake when he first got the motor in. Mint. One kid says' " Cool chrome heads". We chuckled. But keeping them clean is another story that I don't have the answer to yet.

One more point, and keep in mind my prejudice, I'm a motorhead. I believe that by polishing the mani you might lose some heat dissipation. What's it worth, probably 2 HP on a dyno, but a polished surface has much less area than the bare rough surface. Less surface to pass heat through. I had a genius motor guy boss at 17, and he had us put a light coat of black on everything that dissipates heat. So I'm not sold on it and I don't know what I'll do when it comes to putting my polished L88 in the car. Chevy orange maybe! I've thought about powder but don't of anyone who has done it, particulary on a polished surface.

Manny whatdya think? Will the polish come through. I've blued some guns before and the surface prep definitely comes through. Will the powdercoat hide the polishing?

Gene Chas
TC GOld 62
'67 Ss 396

[This message has been edited by Gene Chas (edited 06-29-99).]

I recently replaced my original manifold and carb with a Holly's version of the LT1. I used a wire brush attachement to my drill and polished it to a great shine. (Yeah, I know. It sounds like you would be scratching it all up but trust me. I looked great.) Then I shot it with a coat of clear engine paint. Any untreated aluminum will oxidize. The clear should prevent that.

I don't know about the cooling differences between possible finishes for the manifold but I do know that it will be a lot cooler compared to the original!

Hope this helps.

I used clear engine paint on my unpolished manifold. So far it has discolored where the heat riser passage is. Mine are blocked but it still turn a golden brown. I guess its ready to come out of the oven http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif.

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Pat Kelley
66 & 67 El Caminos

Pat, the prior owner of my '67 allowed a leaky Holley too long and I got the brown look from fuel. Fugly. Like I said. It'll be orange soon.

Don

I had mine ceramic coated by JETHOT. You can get a coating that increases heat disipation on the top and a different coating for the bottom to insulate it from engine heat. Different colors are also availible.

Clark